Combination card and key holder

ABSTRACT

This invention provides a combination key tag and key holder which includes a key tag holder case for enclosing key tags. The key tag holder case has a top portion, middle portion, and a bottom portion. The bottom portion defines an aperture for receiving a post. The post routes through the aperture of the bottom portion, through a key tag, and into an interior of the key tag holder case. The top portion releasably attaches to the post to secure the key tags within the key tag holder case. A strap member attaches to the key tag holder case for closing the key tag holder case to prevent key tags from exiting an interior of the key tag holder case. A key ring attaches to an aperture defined within the middle portion of the key tag holder case to hold keys.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This U.S. Non-provisional Patent Application is related to and claims priority from earlier filed U.S. Provisional Application for Patent No. 61/555,128 filed Nov. 3, 2011, all of which is incorporate herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to relatively small key tags bearing machine readable personal information thereon, including bar codes and the like, and more particularly, to a combination key tag and key holder for carrying and displaying a plurality of such key tags in a manner permitting ready access to any one of the plurality of key tags and the information provided thereon carried in such holder.

Key tags are typically smaller versions of larger cards provided by many different service providers. Key tags are of relatively small size, generally rectangular shaped, and are usually formed from a thin plastic-like material. Key tags are commonly used by many organizations and service providers, i.e. pharmacies, health clubs, supermarkets, pet stores, book stores, and a myriad of other businesses for the identification of its customers and/or members. These type of cards or tags include but are not limited to: club cards, rewards cards, frequent shopper cards, loyalty cards, saver cards, and etc. Typically, such key tags are imprinted with a company's name and logo on a front face thereof and with a rear or second face of the tag containing machine readable personal information in the form of a bar code or the like which, when scanned, provides the service provider with important information relating to the particular user or presenter of the key tag.

Key tags or cards are usually constructed from relatively inexpensive materials which frequently results in torn, worn-out, or otherwise damaged key tags when attached directly to a key ring. The wear and tear to which such tags are subjected causes such tags to quickly become separated from the keyring and lost.

Adding items to a key ring is neither practical nor convenient. In order to attached a key tag directly to a key ring, a user must prie open a loop of the key ring to allow a key tag to be inserted and slid along the spiral until it becomes wholly engaged onto the key ring. Oftentimes, depending upon the tension of the loop, the user may experience discomfort or pain in forcing open the loop of the key ring to allow a key tag to be inserted which may result in the user not attaching the key tag to the key ring.

Therefore, there is a desire for a combination key tag and key holder wherein key tags can be stored in a secure and safe manner and which readily permits displaying any one of the plurality of such key tags in a manner permitting ready access to the personal information provided thereon while such key tag is carried in such holder. In addition, there is a desire for a key tag and key holder which permits a user to add or remove key tags from the holder in a convenient and easy way.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention preserves the advantages of existing key holders while providing new advantages not found in currently available key holders and overcoming many disadvantages of such currently available key holders. This invention provides a combination key tag or card and key holder which includes a key tag holder case for enclosing key tags. The key tag holder case has a top portion, middle portion, and a bottom portion. The bottom portion defines an aperture for receiving a post. The post routes through the aperture of the bottom portion, through a key tag, and into an interior of the key tag holder case. The top portion releasably attaches to the post to secure the key tags within the key tag holder case. A strap member attaches to the key tag holder case for closing the key tag holder case to prevent key tags from exiting an interior of the key tag holder case. A key ring attaches to an aperture defined within the middle portion of the key tag holder case to hold keys.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the combination card and key holder in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top elevation view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a left side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a bottom elevation view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view thereof, the card holder showing the key tags fanned out for viewing;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the card holder showing the key tags fanned out for viewing;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the combination card and key holder in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a top elevation view thereof;

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view thereof;

FIG. 11 is a left side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 12 is a bottom elevation view thereof;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view thereof, the card holder showing the key tags fanned out for viewing;

FIG. 14 is a front elevation view thereof, the card holder showing the key tags fanned out for viewing; and

FIG. 15 is a rear elevation view thereof, the card holder showing the key tags fanned out for viewing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention provides a solution to the problems associated with prior art key tag and key holders. As shown in the attached FIGS. 1-15, the invention includes a combination key tag or card and key holder that safely secures the key tag while providing ready access to personal information provided thereon while such key tag is carried in such holder. In addition, the invention permits a user to add or remove key tags from the holder in a convenient and easy way.

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, the invention provides a combination key tag and key holder comprising a key tag holder case, a strap member, and a key ring. The key tag holder case is configured for enclosing key tags, preferably key tags with apertures defined therein. The key tag holder case includes a base cover member having a top portion, middle portion, and a bottom portion. The base cover member, in one embodiment, is made of synthetic or natural materials which can repeatedly bend without cracking or fraying. The bottom portion defines a post aperture for receiving a post. The post routes through the aperture of the bottom portion, continue through an aperture defined in one or more key tags, and protrude into an interior of the key tag holder case. The top portion releasably attaches to the post to secure the key tags on the post and within the key tag holder case. In one embodiment, a snap fastener element is used to snap onto the post. To add or remove key tags, the user disengages the top portion from the post to allow a user to remove or add key tags.

A strap member attaches to the key tag holder case for closing the key tag holder case to prevent key tags from exiting an interior of the key tag holder case. In one embodiment, the strap member attaches between the top portion and the middle portion of the base cover member. Alternatively, the strap member may be attached between the bottom portion and the middle portion or a combination of the top and bottom portion. The strap member has a first end and a second end. The first end may be permanently attached to the base cover member and the second end may be releasably attached to the base cover member. In one embodiment, a snap fastener element and its complement may be attached to the strap member and the base cover member. In one embodiment, both the first end and second end may be releasably or fixedly attached to the base cover member to enclose the key tags from exiting the sides of the key tag holder case.

A key ring releasably attaches to an aperture defined within the middle portion of the base cover member to hold keys. Alternatively, the key ring may be permanently or fixedly attached to the middle portion of the base cove member. In another embodiment, the key ring is not attached to the base cover member and the aperture of the middle portion is used to attach to an existing key ring.

In operation, the user unclasps or opens the strap member to rotate out a key tag from the key tag holder case for usage at a store or other service provider. When finished, the user simply rotates the key tag about the post to return the key tag to an interior of the key tag holder case. To add or remove key tags, the user unclasps or disengages the top portion of the base cover member from the post. The user can then either add or remove tags to the post by routing the aperture of the key tag onto the post and then closing the top portion to the post.

Referring to FIGS. 8-15 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The invention of FIGS. 8-15 is configured for enclosing key tags, preferably key tags with apertures defined therein. The key tag holder case includes a base cover member defining an elongated groove or aperture for receipt of a post. The post routes through the elongated groove and through an aperture defined in one or more key tags, and protrude into an interior of the key tag holder case. The post moves the key tags within or out of the key tag holder case by moving the post along the groove between a top portion of the base cover member (key tags within the key tag holder case) to a bottom portion of the base cover member (key tags outside of the key tag holder case. In one embodiment, a snap fastener element is used to snap onto the post. To add or remove key tags, the user disengages the post to allow a user to remove or add key tags.

It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A combination card and key holder, comprising: a card holder case for enclosing key tags, the card holder case has a top portion, middle portion, and a bottom portion, the bottom portion defines an aperture for receiving a post, the post routes through the aperture of the bottom portion, through a key tag, and into an interior of the card holder case, the top portion releasably attaches to the post to secure the key tags within the card holder case; a strap member attaches to the card holder case for closing the card holder case to prevent key tags from exiting an interior of the card holder case; and a key ring attaches to an aperture defined within the middle portion of the card holder case to hold keys. 